Census 2000 Testing, Experimentation, and Evaluation Program Summary Documentation

Program Modifications Since May 2002

September 2003

This document provides updates to the May 2002 summary document of the Census 2000 Testing, Experimentation, and Evaluation (TXE) Program. As originally planned, the Census 2000 TXE Program was comprised of nearly 150 evaluations and a variety of experiments. However, in light of resources and other priorities, the Census 2000 TXE Program is refined and reassessed periodically. We attempted to obtain the best balance of resources needed for:

• completing and releasing Census 2000 data products, and

• conducting key Census 2000 evaluations.

To accomplish this, we combined important aspects of similar evaluations and experiments and dropped those that were less critical for 2010 Census planning. We dropped components of evaluations for which analytical data were not available. Additionally, some evaluations planned for the Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation were no longer needed when the decision was made not to adjust the Census 2000 population counts. It was determined that some of the reports that were developed in an expedited manner to inform the Executive Steering Committee for Accuracy and Coverage Evaluation Policy (ESCAP) decisions were sufficiently complete and informative to answer the research questions from the earlier-planned evaluation reports. As a result, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program, which previously included 149 evaluation reports, will now include 106, of which 18 are ESCAP reports. The most recent evaluation report changes, made since May 2002, follow:

(A.5.a) Census 2000 Response Methods for Selected Language Groups

This evaluation was previously part of evaluation A.5, “Response Process for Selected Language Groups,” which was later planned as two separate studies: A.5.a, “Census 2000 Response Methods for Selected Language Groups,” and A.5.b, “Awareness and Participation in the Census 2000 Language Assistance Programs Among Selected Language Groups “ (see following description). Evaluation A.5.a will provide insight into how non-English speaking groups such as Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Russian were enumerated in Census 2000. The evaluation includes analysis of form types received from a defined non-English speaking universe of housing units.

(A.5.b) Awareness and Participation in the Census 2000 Language Assistance Programs Among Selected Language Groups (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In 2003, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau. An auxiliary research paper will provide research findings.

(B.1.a) Analysis of the Imputation Process for 100 Percent Household Population Items

This evaluation was previously part of evaluation B.1, “Analysis of the Imputation Process for 100 Percent Household Population Items,” which is now being prepared as two separate studies: B.1.a, “Analysis of the Imputation Process for 100 Percent Household Population Items,” and B.1.b, “Analysis of Item Nonresponse Rates for 100 Percent Household Population Items.” For evaluation B.1.a, three components comprise the imputation process to deal with missing and inconsistent data from Census 2000: assignments, allocations, and substitutions. Rates will be produced nationally for each component. A substitution rate will be produced at a household and person level. Assignment and allocation rates will be produced at an item level for each of the 100 percent household population items broken down by several characteristics.

(B.1.b) Analysis of Item Nonresponse Rates for 100 Percent Household Population Items

This evaluation was previously part of evaluation B.1, “Analysis of the Imputation Process for 100 Percent Household Population Items,” which is now being prepared as two separate studies: B.1.a, “Analysis of the Imputation Process for 100 Percent Household Population Items,” and B.1.b, “Analysis of Item Nonresponse Rates for 100 Percent Household Population Items.” For evaluation B.1.b, item nonresponse rates for each of the 100 percent household population items at a national level will be produced. The national level rates will be broken down by the following characteristics: form type (long, short), response mode (self, enumerator), and Internet data collection. Additionally, within each of the response modes (self vs. enumerator), rates will be produced by form type (long, short).

(B.8) Comparing Employment, Income, and Poverty: Census 2000 and the Current Population Survey (cancelled)

(E.2) Special Place Local Update of Census Addresses (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In late 2002, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau.

(E.3) Assess the Inventory Development Process for Service-Based Enumerations (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In mid 2002, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau. An auxiliary research paper will provide research findings.

(E.4) Decennial Frame of Group Quarters and Sources (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In 2003, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau.

(F.1) Impact of the Delivery Sequence File Deliveries on the Master Address File Through Census 2000 Operations (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In late 2002, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau.

(H.6) Operational Analysis of Non-Type of Enumeration Area Tool Kit Methods (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. An auxiliary research paper, “Operational Analysis of Non-Type of Enumeration Area Tool Kit Methods,” provides preliminary research findings.

(K.3) Impact of Data Capture Errors on Autocoding, Clerical Coding and Autocoding Referrals in Industry and Occupation Coding (cancelled)

(O.13) Analysis of Various Household Types and Long Form Variables (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In late 2002, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau.

(O.15) Impact of Housing Unit Coverage on Person Coverage Analysis (cancelled)

This evaluation will not be conducted. In late 2002, the Census 2000 Evaluation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau.

Use of the Employee Reliability Inventory File for Nonresponse Followup Enumerators (cancelled) This experiment will not be conducted. In 2003, the Census 2000 Testing and Experimentation Program was refined and priorities reassessed due to resource constraints at the Census Bureau. An auxiliary research paper will provide research findings.